What is Photoaging?

Prevent Photoaging with Advanced Dermatology in Colorado

When you spend too much time in the sun, your skin becomes damaged due to prolonged exposure to UVA and UVB rays. This exposure damages vital proteins within the dermis, resulting in photoaging that requires advanced dermatology in Colorado. You may have seen photoaging before in magazine photos or through people you have seen passing by who have visibly spent too much time in the sun. The tell-tale signs of photoaging include wrinkles, dark spots, a yellow tint and leathery texture to the skin, and easy bruising.

How to Prevent Photoaging?

Though some elements of photoaging are unavoidable, many visible signs can be easily prevented. One of the simplest ways to protect your skin from UV exposure is to apply at least SPF 30 every day to areas that are primarily exposed to the sun. These areas include the face, neck, chest, hands, arms, and legs. Specialists in advanced dermatology in Colorado recommend that you choose a sunscreen that protects against UVA rays, as many products on the market do no protect against both UV rays emitted from the sun.

If the perfect sunscreen is hard to find, the following tips can help prevent skin damage from the sun.

Avoid sun exposure during 10 AM and 2 PM, when the sun is at its strongest

Utilize umbrellas and shade

Wear a wide brim hat

Wear protective clothing

Always remember to wear sunglasses

How to Treat Photoaging?

If you are experiencing effects of photoaging, advanced dermatology in Colorado may be needed. For mild to moderate photoaging, vitamin A products containing retinol and Retin A are commonly prescribed.

When it comes to advanced dermatology in Colorado, there are a variety of more extensive treatments available for photoaging, many of which utilize light-based technologies.

Photodynamic therapy: This is a technique that involves light-sensitizing medicine being applied to the skin. Once the medication has soaked in, the area is exposed to an activating light that promotes collagen growth.

Intense pulsed light: This treatment is a light therapy technique that works to diminish the appearance of uneven pigmentation and broken blood vessels. This treatment for advanced dermatology in Colorado is performed over multiple sessions.

Laser therapy: Laser therapy can treat many different skin issues, and different wavelengths are used for different conditions. Laser therapy can be used to minimize blood vessels, treat age spots, reduce wrinkles, and more.